Kaoma World Beat (Epic) (STAR)(STAR)(STAR) In...

February 01, 1990|By Chris Heim.

Kaoma

World Beat (Epic) (STAR)(STAR)(STAR)

In the last six months, a new dance craze has taken over much of Europe. It`s called ``Lambada`` and it has been fueled by Kaoma`s song of the same name. The tune-based on a catchy Bolivian melody, a sexy Brazilian dance and a savvy techno-pop production-has already topped the pan-European and 15 national charts and sold over 4 million copies, outstripping even ``We Are The World.`` The band behind this phenomenon, put together by two French entrepreneurs, features four former members of the acclaimed Afro-pop group Toure Kunda; three singers, led by the rich-voiced Loalva Braz of Brazil; and a bevy of dancers. The music is a slick, simplified, synthesized mix of zouk, salsa, reggae, pop, disco and Brazilian sounds that works great on the dance floor. But commercial pop demands eventually overwhelmed the project and the band clearly ran out of ideas not long after ``Lambada`` and its superior, more Brazilian flavored, follow-up single, ``Dancando Lambada,`` were recorded. Like the title, Kaoma`s album is a generic version of the new world music sound-stripped down, devoid of personality and ultimately disposable, but a good place to start if you`re new to the product.